DENSO to Launch New Telematics Business in Japan

    Map Code System for Pinpointing any Location Without Specific Address

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich., March 20 DENSO International America's
parent company -- Japan-based DENSO Corporation -- will launch a new
ITS/Telematics-related business in Japan this June.  The new business is a Map
Code System that the company has originally developed for easy identification
of any location in Japan.  DENSO plans to expand this business to other
markets in the future.
    Director Kenji Oya, of DENSO's Board of Directors, said, "Conventional car
navigation systems are unable to identify locations of which addresses or
telephone numbers are not available, such as large sightseeing spots, rivers,
ravines, and airports.
    DENSO's Map Code System enables accurate pinpointing of such locations
with a six-to-ten-digit number that is predetermined according to latitude and
longitude.  The minimum unit for identification is an area of nearly 33 yards
by 33 yards.
    "The Map Code System can also simplify the management of vast amounts of
location information by using the code number instead of specific addresses,"
Oya added.
    There are a wide variety of applications of the Map Code System in both
business scenes and private life covering from sales representatives, service
personnel, and fleet operations to meetings.
    For business applications, sales representatives not only can identify
current location and a route to their destinations, but also can compile a
database for business transactions using clients' code numbers.
    "Fleet operations will become more efficient if drivers are provided with
coded delivery locations for their navigation systems," Oya said.  "In private
life, people can easily find the location of a shop introduced in a magazine
by merely inputting the shop's map code on their navigation systems or
wireless phones.  Also, they can share the information with peers by sending
the code number via e-mail.  Even if people meet someone in a vast parking
lot, a meeting place can be easily pinpointed with the code number of the
place."
    Navigation system suppliers such as Clarion, Kenwood and Xanavi have
already adopted DENSO's Map Code System.  Automobile manufacturers such as
Toyota Motor Corporation and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. have decided to introduce
the system in their vehicles.  Japan Travel Bureau, Japan's largest travel
agency, already utilizes the Map Code System.  The Japan Automobile
Federation* also covers map codes in its publication.
    Oya said, "The use of map codes does not require any payment for end-
users.  Adoption of the Map Code System at corporations simply requires making
a contract with DENSO and paying a certain fee."
    DENSO will promote the Map Code System targeting car navigation suppliers,
auto manufacturers, travel agency, publishing companies, and broadcasting
media, in order to make the system more useful for end-users.
    Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) is one of the key fields for DENSO's
business growth.  ITS-related systems and products that DENSO has introduced
include car navigation systems, Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) systems and
fleet management systems.
    DENSO Corporation is a global automotive supplier of advanced technology,
systems and components.  DENSO employs 81,000 people in 26 countries and
regions.  Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2000
totaled US$17.8 billion.

    * Note: The Japan Automobile Federation is a public-service organization
that is dedicated to providing auto users services that enhance their safety
and their sense of security while aggressively promoting campaigns for the
safety and smooth running of traffic and contributing to the sound development
of the auto community.